I've recently encountered somebody that asked me this question, and although I think I know the answer, I would like to see what everybody thinks...
I know alot of people who live life without really acknowledging God. They certainly don't deny that there is a God, and they certainly don't acknowledge the presence of God. The concept of God just really isn't a part of their everyday lives. Now let's say they say they believe in God, but never do anything (such as pray, go to church..etc) to show that.
Ultimately, what is the end result of these people? I know it comes down to between "you and God" but I am just interested to see what feedback you have to offer.
Thanks!
True believing in God is believing in God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Being saved (or certain that one if free from condemnation by God and will be with God for all eternity), is not only believing in the existence of God, but believing that Jesus came to earth, lived in the form of a man who was perfect and without sin and never sinned, took the sins of humankind upon himself (took the penalty of your sins upon himself which only Jesus was able to do because he was perfect), died on the cross to pay the penalty for those sins, and rose from the dead to God's right hand because he was perfect (even though all sin was placed upon him it had no hold on him for he never sinned). Salvation life begins in believing and confessing these truths to be reality and submitting oneself to this life (which is Christ).
" because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved" (Romans 10:9-10).
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Salvation is a gift from God. It cannot be acquired by anything anyone does.
"This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
33"Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear (Acts 2:32-33).
13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Those who are sealed with the Holy Spirit have the truth of God within them. The Spirit will speak God's truth to that believer who every moment chooses whether to believe that truth and live by it or reject that truth. Living by the life in the truth of God will cause a believer to do works because they are compelled by God's voice to do his will. The works did not save and could not save the person. God saved the person and then that person does works because they love God's love and see that love in the words that God speaks to them. Do you have this life within you?